Report: Zoning prohibits rehab center

LAKE HUNTINGTON — The sale of the former Narrowsburg School to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center would violate the western Sullivan County hamlet's zoning laws, as well as its master and comprehensive plans, according to a report commissioned by residents opposed to the sale.

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By ANDREW BEAM

recordonline.com

By ANDREW BEAM

Posted Aug. 22, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By ANDREW BEAM

Posted Aug. 22, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

LAKE HUNTINGTON — The sale of the former Narrowsburg School to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center would violate the western Sullivan County hamlet's zoning laws, as well as its master and comprehensive plans, according to a report commissioned by residents opposed to the sale.

The report, prepared by Alan Sorenson, a professional city planner and county legislator, was delivered to the Sullivan West school board at its meeting Thursday night by resident Iris Helfeld, a member of Narrowsburg Organized for Responsible School Usage, the group opposing the sale of the school for a rehab center.

The building is located in a downtown area zoned as a business district, according to the report, while the 14.38-acre site included in the sale is in a district zoned for general residential use. Neither district allows for a rehab center to be located in it.

The report also says both the 2007 Town of Tusten Comprehensive Plan and the 2013 Narrowsburg Master Plan include the reuse of the school, which was closed in 2005 because of declining enrollment. Both reports suggest the school be turned into a multi-use facility that would aid the economy and help develop Narrowsburg as a tourist destination.

If a rehab facility were to be located in the school, according to the report, it would isolate the building from the rest of the town, contradicting the municipalities' goals for the downtown area.

The report criticizes the board for simply going for the highest bid, that of the Buto Family, which proposed paying $751,000, as opposed to selecting the $742,000 bid from the Weiden family, which proposed a multi-use facility.

The Weidens recently filed a lawsuit against the Butos, the district and the board for the sale, claiming it did not follow its fiduciary responsibility and the rehab center was not an allowed use in that zoning district.

Before presenting the report, Helfeld reminded the board that residents weren't opposed to a rehab center in the town; they opposed locating it in an area where its use is not allowed.

"With regard to your fiduciary responsibility and the legal issues the board now faces, we urge you to consult with your attorney — and not just Superintendent (Nancy) Hackett — as soon as possible and find a way out of this deal before your legal costs become prohibitively expensive," Helfeld said. "And the legal wrangling over this residential drug and alcohol rehab center prohibits you from selling the school for a long time to a qualified buyer for a legally permitted purpose."